The Kona Recruiting Station adopted the Konawaena High
school JROTC Ranger Team (Wildcats) at the beginning of the school year. These five
young, motivated men showed an eagerness to grow mentally and physically.

For five months, on our own time, we coached them on how to
excel in school and life in general.

We took the students on ruck marches, taught them physical
training, how to fund raise, and more.

We developed close relationships with the students and their
parents, who are now commending us for instilling the Army Values in their
children.

This group of young men has overcome many obstacles. Some
have a parent who passed away, while others are dealing with severe personal
illnesses and family financial issues.

The one thing this group has, that we as Soldiers admire, is
a never quit attitude and an unlimited motivation that exudes from each of them,
no matter how many life challenges with which they are dealing.

Our team members are Future Soldier Erick Magana Contreras,
Future Soldier Weston Downs, Andruw Nakamura, and Kinolua Kelekolio, who both
plan to enlist next year, and Ragan Leslie who’s committed to the Navy.

Our team was one of 24 JROTC teams from schools across the
state who competed in the Maui Madness this year.

During the event, teams members were put to challenges testing
their mental prowess and physical endurance.

Teams competed in a variety of obstacles ranging from a 1-mile
run, a physical training test, swimming course, and an obstacle course.

Our team, the Wildcats, won overall first place in the boys
division, first place in the 1,000 meter swim, and first place in the 5,000
meter cross country team run.

Participants also competed in a modified APRT, which included
pull-ups, a tire flip, and an all-service flag football tournament.

It shows great dedication and discipline to achieve what
these young men have accomplished. Placing
first out of 24 teams proves hard work pays off.

Downs said, “Being Army strong is not about how physically
strong you are as much as it is realizing how much your divided strength’s can
become one as a team.”

We have seen enormous change in the personas of these young
men over the past several months. Whether they chose to pursue a military career
or one in the civilian sector, we know they will be successful. Having the mentality that they can be, know, and
do anything, and instilled Army Values, the sky’s the limit.